Forestry Officer - Conservation and Management

Placements24; Bloemfontein; Hybrid; ZAR 350,000 - 550,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Health and retirement benefits

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 in Bloemfontein invites applications for a Forestry Officer to support conservation efforts in the region. The role blends fieldwork and office duties to manage forests, plan sustainable harvesting, and implement silviculture projects with community involvement.

The ideal candidate will have a degree in Forestry or related field and at least 5 years of experience, with strong knowledge of forest ecology, GIS, and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Degree in Forestry, Environmental Science, Ecology, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in forest management, conservation, or a related field.
• Strong knowledge of forest ecology, silviculture, and sustainable resource management principles.
• Experience with forest inventory techniques and GIS mapping software.

Responsibilities

• Conduct forest inventories, surveys, and assessments to determine forest health and resource availability.
• Develop and implement sustainable forest management plans, including harvesting and reforestation strategies.
• Oversee silviculture operations, such as planting, thinning, and pruning.
• Monitor and manage forest health, including pest and disease outbreaks and fire prevention.
• Engage with local communities and stakeholders on forest conservation and resource management issues.
• Ensure compliance with relevant environmental regulations and forestry policies.

Skills

Forest ecology

GIS mapping

Stakeholder engagement

Fieldwork

Education

Degree in Forestry/Environmental Science/Ecology

Tools

GIS mapping software

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a dedicated Forestry Officer to join their conservation team in the scenic Bloemfontein area. This role focuses on the sustainable management, protection, and conservation of forest resources. You will be involved in forest inventory, planning, silviculture operations, and community engagement regarding forest resource utilization. The position requires a blend of field work and office-based responsibilities, fitting a hybrid model. The ideal candidate is passionate about environmental stewardship, possesses strong knowledge of forest ecosystems, and can effectively implement conservation strategies to ensure the long-term health and productivity of forest lands, contributing to ecological balance and biodiversity preservation.

Key Responsibilities Conduct forest inventories, surveys, and assessments to determine forest health and resource availability. Develop and implement sustainable forest management plans, including harvesting and reforestation strategies. Oversee silviculture operations, such as planting, thinning, and pruning. Monitor and manage forest health, including pest and disease outbreaks and fire prevention. Engage with local communities and stakeholders on forest conservation and resource management issues. Ensure compliance with relevant environmental regulations and forestry policies. Requirements Degree in Forestry, Environmental Science, Ecology, or a related discipline. Minimum of 5 years of experience in forest management , conservation, or a related field. Strong knowledge of forest ecology, silviculture, and sustainable resource management principles. Experience with forest inventory techniques and GIS mapping software. Ability to conduct fieldwork in various terrain and weather conditions. Effective communication and stakeholder engagement skills, suitable for a hybrid role. Benefits Competitive salary with potential for performance-based increases. Hybrid work arrangement balancing field and office duties. Comprehensive health insurance and retirement benefits. Opportunities for professional development and specialized training. Contribute directly to the conservation and sustainable management of vital forest ecosystems.